Passenger accommodation cabin for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A passenger accommodation cabin for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft includes a wall defining a passenger accommodation area; a plinth disposed substantially at floor level and adapted to support a mattress within the accommodation area to provide at least one substantially flat bed; a false floor that is selectively movable between a deployed position in which the false floor at least partially covers the mattress and a retracted position for allowing use of the bed; and a seating system having at least one seat and associated supporting structure for supporting the seat within the accommodation area generally above the mattress.

This is a U.S. National Phase of International Application No.PCT/GB02/03672 filed Aug. 9, 2002.

The present invention relates to a novel passenger accommodation cabinfor a vehicle. The accommodation cabin of the invention may be used onany passenger vehicles, including railway carriages, passenger ferriesand coaches, but is particularly suited for use on an aircraft. Morespecifically, the accommodation cabin of the present invention isadapted for use in a first-class section of a passenger aircraft.

A conventional passenger aircraft seat comprises a seat pan and abackrest and a supporting structure for supporting the seat off thefloor of the aircraft, which supporting structure is provided withsuitable fixings for securing the seat to seat tracks in the floor.Typically, the backrest of an aircraft seat is capable of reclining toan extent to provide a more comfortable sitting position for a passengerduring the course of a flight. Seats for use in the business andfirst-class sections of a passenger aircraft typically also comprise aleg-rest which can be selectively moved between a stowed position and adeployed position in which the leg-rest is adapted to support thepassengers legs in a raised position during the flight. Whilst the seatsfor use in the business and first-class sections of an aircraft cangenerally recline to a greater extent than seats for use in theremainder of the aircraft, they still cannot go completely flat. Manypassengers find it very difficult to sleep in a sitting position, withthe result that they can become extremely tired over the course of along-haul flight of many hours duration.

GB2326824A discloses a passenger seat that is suitable for use in afirst-class section of a passenger aircraft. The seat of GB2326824Acomprises a primary seat having a backrest, seat pan and leg rest and anopposing secondary seat which is positioned forwardly of the primaryseat. The primary seat is provided with suitable supporting structurefor supporting the primary seat off the floor of the aircraft, and theprimary seat is adapted to move forwardly as it reclines such that inthe fully reclined position, with the backrest fully reclined and theleg rest fully extended, the leg rest mates with the secondary seat toform an extended surface. Moreover, in the fully reclined position, thebackrest, seat pan, leg rest and secondary seat form a continuous,substantially flat surface on which a passenger may sleep. The seat ofGB2326824A thus represents a substantial improvement over conventionalpassenger aircraft seats which cannot go completely flat.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved passengeraccommodation for vehicles, particularly aircraft.

In particular it is an object of the present invention to provideimproved accommodation that is suitable for use in the first-classsection of a passenger aircraft.

More particularly, an object of the present invention is to providenovel passenger accommodation means which provide a seat for a passengerto sit on and a flat bed which approximates as close as possible normalbeds for use on land on which the passenger may sleep.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a passenger accommodationcabin for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft, which cabin compriseswall means defining a passenger accommodation area, plinth meansdisposed substantially at floor level and adapted to support mattressmeans within said accommodation area to provide at least onesubstantially flat bed; false floor means that are selectively movablebetween a deployed position in which said false floor means at leastpartially cover the mattress means and a retracted position for allowinguse of said bed; seating means comprising at least one seat andassociated supporting structure for supporting said seat within theaccommodation area generally above the mattress means.

The passenger accommodation cabin of the present invention isparticularly suitable for use in a first-class section of a passengeraircraft and provides a defined area for use by a passenger whichincorporates a seat and a bed. The bed is normally at least partlyconcealed by the false floor means, but may be revealed to allow accessto the bed when the passenger wishes to go to sleep.

Said wall means may comprise at least three upstanding side walls whichserve as a privacy screen around the accommodation area. In someembodiments the cabin may also be fitted with a ceiling. In someembodiments, where the cabin of the present invention is positionedadjacent a wall of the aircraft, then one of the cabin walls may beformed by the existing aircraft wall, for example an external side wall.Said cabin may have four upstanding walls, completely surrounding theaccommodation area, wherein the cabin further comprises door means forgaining entry into the accommodation area from outside. One or more ofsaid walls may be full-height walls in that they extend from floor levelto the ceiling. Preferably three walls at least are full-height walls.Where the cabin includes a fourth wall, said fourth wall may be arrangedto be disposed adjacent an aisle in a passenger cabin of a vehicle andmay be “half” or “three-quarter” height in that it does not extend fullyto the ceiling. Said fourth wall may be dimensioned to provide a privacyscreen when a passenger lies on the bed within the cabin, but can beseen over when the passenger is seated upon said seating means(“half-height”) or when said passenger is standing within the cabin(“three-quarter” height). Said door means may comprise a closure, but insome embodiments may simply comprise a gap between two walls or parts ofthe same wall. In a particular embodiment, said gap may be formed insaid fourth wall to provide convenient access to and from the cabin fromthe aisle.

The dimensions of said plinth means may correspond substantially to thedimensions of the cabin overall. Thus, said plinth means may havesubstantially the same dimensions as the mattress means. In someembodiments, said plinth means may additionally provide support for thewall means off the floor of the aircraft. Alternatively, said wall meansmay be adapted to be attached directly to the aircraft floor, and theplinth means of the cabin of the present invention may be accommodatedwithin said wall means. Preferably, said plinth means forms a close fitaround the mattress means, and the walls of the cabin substantiallyfollow the edges of the plinth means such that the plinth means forms aclose fit within the wall means.

Said plinth means may define a recess for accommodating said mattressmeans, such that said plinth means forms a tray for supporting themattress. Alternatively, said plinth means may have a substantially flatupper surface adapted to support the mattress means thereon.

Said plinth means may be equipped with suitable fixings for attachmentto tracks in the floor of the vehicle, for example seat tracks in anaircraft floor. In some embodiments, a single plinth may be adapted tosupport wall means defining a plurality of accommodation cabinsaccording to the invention. Preferably, said plinth means are configuredsuch that a plurality of plinth means may be arranged within a vehiclein a contiguous arrangement.

The elongate tray may be configured to provide a close fit around themattress means, and the walls of the cabin may substantially follow theedges of the tray means. Thus the tray may form a close fit within thewalls.

In order to optimise the use of space within the aircraft cabin, theaccommodation cabin of the invention may have a generally rectangularfootprint having substantially the same dimensions as the bed.Alternatively, the foot print of the cabin may have any other suitable,elongate shape, e.g. ellipsoidal, polygonal.

Means may be provided for building up the vehicle floor around thepassenger accommodation cabin to provide a substantially continuousfloor level. Alternatively, the plinth of the accommodation cabin mayprovide a step up into the accommodation area.

Said seating means may comprise a seat juxtaposed one end of thepassenger accommodation cabin in juxtaposition with one short side wall,a “short side wall” being one which is oriented transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the mattress means. In some embodiments, theseating means may comprise two opposing seats, in which case each seatmay be positioned in juxtaposition with an opposing one of the shortside walls. The or each seat may be adapted to recline forwardly withinthe cabin over the mattress means.

In some embodiments, the or each seat may comprise a backrest portionthat is permanently fixed to a wall of the accommodation cabin and aseat pan that is pivoted to the backrest or the cabin wall juxtaposedthe backrest for movement between a deployed position and a stowedposition. Suitable means may be provided for retaining the seat pan inthe deployed position such that the passenger may sit on the seat. Meansmay be provided for releasing the seat pan from the deployed position toallow it to be moved manually or automatically to the stowed position.In the stowed position, the seat pan may be pivoted upwardly ordownwardly with respect to the backrest portion. It is desirable that inthe stowed position, the seat pan should be folded away, flat againstthe backrest portion or a wall of the accommodation cabin so as tomaximise the available space within the cabin above the bed.

Said false floor means may comprise one or more rigid or semi-rigid,substantially flat panels adapted to overlay at least part of saidmattress means in a deployed position and removable to allow use of saidbed. Said panel or panels may be hingedly connected to said plinth meansand/or one or more of the walls to allow the or each panel to be hingedbetween a deployed position and a stowed position in which the panel isremoved from the mattress means and is disposed substantially flush withone of the walls or is accommodated within a recess adapted for thatpurpose. Said panel(s) may be stowed horizontally or vertically.Suitably said panel(s) should at least overlay the mattress means in azone forwardly of a seat within the cabin. In some embodiments thepanel(s) may cover substantially the entire internal floor area of thecabin. Where said cabin comprises two opposing seats. Said panels maycover the mattress means between said two seats.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, said cabin may comprise alongitudinal half or three-quarter height wall having a gap formedtherein to allow access to the interior of the cabin. Said false floormeans may comprise one or more flat panels adapted to extendtransversely across the bed means from the one longitudinal side to theother longitudinal side. The or each panel may be hinged to said traymeans within said gap by hinge means. Said panel or panels may haveoverall dimensions slightly smaller than the gap. Said panel or panelsmay thus be pivotable between a deployed position in which the panel orpanels extend transversely across the bed and an intermediate stowedposition in which the panel or panels are oriented at about 90° to thedeployed position and are received within the gap between two portionsof the longitudinal wall. Said hinge means may be mounted to the traymeans on sliding means adapted to travel longitudinally relative to thebed between an extended position in which the panel or panels aredisposed in said intermediate stowed position in the gap and a retractedposition in which the or each panel in the substantially verticalorientation is received juxtaposed or within a respective cavity formedin a respective one of the longitudinal wall portions in a fully stowedposition. Where two or more panels are provided, said panels may beaccommodated within a recess or recesses formed in the same longitudinalside wall portion or in respective recesses formed in both side portionsto either side of the gap. Thus, by a two-step action, the false floorpanel or panels may be moved between said deployed position in which itor they extend over the mattress means and the fully stowed position inwhich it or they are accommodated, preferably entirely, within a recessor recesses defined by said wall portion or portions or are disposedjuxtaposed said wall portion or portions.

Where necessary and/or desired said false floor means may furthercomprise reinforcing means adapted to strengthen the floor panel(s),particularly when disposed in the deployed position, to enable saidfalse floor means to support the weight of at least one and preferablytwo or more passengers.

In some embodiments, said false floor means may comprise flexibletambour means selectively moveable between a deployed position and astowed position. Said tambour means may comprise at least onearticulated panel comprising a plurality of elongate segments that arepivotally joined to one another along a plurality of respective parallelaxes. Said tambour means may thus comprise one or more generallyrectangular panels, each panel comprising a plurality of articulatedslats that allow the panel means to flex about a plurality of spacedaxes. In the deployed position, said tambour means may be adapted tocover substantially all, or part, of the tray means and reinforcingmeans may be provided for strengthening those ares of the tambour meanswhen fully deployed where passengers and/or cabin crew are likely tostand or travel particularly in part of a seat or between two opposingseats. Tambour housing means may be provided juxtaposed the plinthmeans, within said plinth means or beneath said plinth means forreceiving and accommodating said tambour means when stowed. Said housingmeans may further incorporate suitable guiding means for smoothlyguiding movement of the tambour panel(s) between the stowed and deployedpositions. Said tambour means may be adapted for movement between saidstowed and deployed positions in a direction substantially parallel toor transverse the longitudinal direction of the bed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, said mattress means mayhave the dimensions of a single bed or bunk. In other embodiments saidmattress means may comprise a double-bed. For flexibility ofaccommodation, said cabin may comprise two spaced mattresses. Thus, saidplinth means may comprise two recesses, each adapted to accommodate arespective one of said mattresses. Said mattresses may be arrangedside-by-side and said walls may closely surround said two mattresses.Screen means may be disposed between the two beds to afford privacy tothe respective passengers using them. Said privacy screen means arepreferably selectively movable between a deployed position and a stowedposition to allow them to be removed if the passengers using the twobeds are travelling together and/or wish to communicate with each other.

Alternatively, two passenger accommodation cabins according to theinvention may be arranged contiguously side-by-side. A removableinterconnecting side wall that is common to both cabins may be providedsuch that where the two cabins are used by two passengers who aretravelling together, the interconnecting wall may be removed to create adouble-spaced cabin comprising two beds side-by-side or, optionally, adouble bed, where a single set of linen is used to dress the beds inboth cabins.

Following is a description by way of an example with reference toaccompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of a first passenger accommodationunit according to the present invention which comprises two opposingseats.

FIG. 2 shows the first accommodation unit of FIG. 1 in a bed mode.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of two passenger accommodation units inaccordance with the present invention that are arranged contiguouslyside-by-side to provide a double unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of a second different passengeraccommodation unit according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5A–5E show schematically the mechanism for stowing a false floorpanel of the second accommodation unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, isometric view of a third different passengeraccommodation unit according to the present invention in which theceiling and one end wall have been omitted for clarity.

FIGS. 7A–7C show different aircraft cabin layouts incorporating aplurality of accommodation cabins according to the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, apassenger accommodation unit according to the present inventioncomprises a plinth 10 that is provided with suitable fixings (not shown)for attaching the plinth to seat tracks in the floor of an aircraft.Mounted to said plinth 10 are three upstanding side walls comprising twoopposing narrow side walls 12, 14 and interconnecting long side wall 16.Said side walls 12, 14, 16 carry a rectangular, generally flat ceilingpanel 18 at ceiling height above the plinth 10. Said side walls 12, 14,16 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being solid walls, but where the unitof the invention is positioned in an aircraft cabin adjacent a wallcomprising one or more windows, then one or more of the side walls 12–16of the accommodation unit may be provided with corresponding windows toallow a passenger using the unit to see out through the aircraftwindows. Alternatively, one of the side walls of the unit, preferablysaid long side wall 16 may be formed by a pre-existing side wall of theaircraft.

Said side walls 12–16 and ceiling panel 18 define a generally cuboidalpassenger accommodation area 15.

Said plinth 10 has an upper surface 20 formed with a generallyrectangular recess to accommodate a mattress 25 having the dimensions ofa single adult bed. The side walls 12–16 of the unit are disposedclosely adjacent the mattress 25, such that the mattress 25 occupiessubstantially the entire floor area of the unit. Thus, said narrowopposing side walls 12, 14 may be spaced apart by a distance of at least6 feet (1.83 meters), and the width of the accommodation area in thedirection substantially parallel to said narrow side walls 12 and 14 maybe at least 2.5 feet (76.2 centimetres), preferably at least 3 feet(91.4 centimetres). Alternatively, said accommodation area could bedimensioned to accommodate an adult double-bed or two spaced “twin”single beds.

Each of said narrow side walls 12, 14 is reinforced or formed from asuitable aircraft grade, lightweight, load-bearing structural materialand carries a passenger seat assembly 30. Each passenger seat assembly30 comprises a backrest 32 that is permanently fixed to the respectivenarrow side walls 12, 14 and a seat pan that is mounted below thebackrest and is pivoted to the narrow side wall 12, 14 or said backrestfor movement between a deployed position in which the seat pan extendsoutwardly from said narrow side wall 12, 14 to form a seat on which apassenger may sit and a stowed position in which the seat pan is foldeddown relative to the backrest against the respective narrow side wall12, 14. Suitable securing means are 1 provided for releasably securingthe seat-pan in the deployed position. In the stowed position, theseat-pan is positioned substantially flush against the respective narrowside wall 12, 14 of the combination cabin.

Said plinth 10 accommodates a movable false floor that is adaptednormally to cover the mattress 25 within the accommodation cabin andwhich may be removed and stowed to allow use of the mattress when apassenger that is using the cabin wishes to go to bed.

Said false floor comprises a generally rectangular, rigid central panel42 that is adapted to overlay a central portion of a mattress betweenthe two opposing seat assemblies 30. In the deployed position, thecentral panel 42 is supported at each end by the edges of the plinth 10to support the weight of a passenger walking or standing thereon. Saidcentral panel 42 comprises two opposing long sides 43, 44 that areoriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed andtwo opposing short sides 45, 46 that extend across the bed. Juxtaposedone of said long sides 44 that is remote from said long side wall 16,each of said short sides 45, 46 comprises a protruding lug 47 that isaccommodated within a respective track 48 formed in the plinth 10beneath the mattress 25. Said panel 42 can pivot about said lugs 47 andcan slide in said tracks 48 to allow the panel 42 to be stowed withinthe plinth beneath the mattress 25. Thus to manoeuvre the panel 42 fromthe deployed position to the stowed position the other long side 43 ofthe panel is lifted away from the mattress to pivot the panel 42 aboutsaid lugs 47. The panel 47 is then slid along the tracks 48 until thepanel is disposed beneath the mattress.

In a “seat mode” one or both of said seat assemblies 30 may bepositioned with their respective seat-pans 33 in the deployed positionto allow one or two passengers within the accommodation area 15. Saidaccommodation area is principally adapted for use by a single passengerwho will use one of said seat assemblies 30, but the other seat assembly30 may be provided for a travelling companion to sit with the passengerduring the course of a flight. Conveniently, said accommodation unit maycomprise a stowable table assembly (not shown) that may be deployedbetween the two opposing seat assemblies 30 so as to allow one or twopassengers using the unit to dine within the accommodation area.

When the passenger wishes to go to sleep, the seat-pans 33 of the twoseat assemblies 30 are released from their deployed positions to allowthese seat-pans to fold downwardly with respect to their respectivebackrest 32 to lie flat against the respective narrow side walls 12, 14.The central panel 42 may be removed from its deployed position to itsstowed position as described above thereby allowing complete access tothe mattress as shown in FIG. 2. Said mattress may be made-up withconventional sheets, blankets and pillows as illustrated in FIG. 2 toprovide a comfortable bed for a passenger, which is particularlyadvantageous on a long-haul flight.

FIG. 3 shows two accommodation units as hereinbefore described arrangedcontiguously side-by-side with the long side wall 16 between themremoved so as to form a double unit, optionally having a double bed. InFIG. 3, the side wall 12′, mattress 25′ and back-rest 52′ of theneighbouring unit are shown.

FIG. 4 shows a different passenger accommodation unit 60 according tothe present invention comprising a generally rectangular plinth 62 thatsupports a mattress 70 within an accommodation area 68. Saidaccommodation area 68 is formed by two upstanding opposing short sidewalls 63, 64, long side wall 65 and an opposing longitudinal“half-height” wall 66 that is cut away in a central region to form twowall portions 67. The two opposing short walls 63, 64 and saidlongitudinal side wall 65 are full-height walls and carry in their upperextremities a ceiling 69. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the half-heightlongitudinal wall 66 does not extend fully up to the ceiling 69, butterminates approximately half way between the floor and ceiling. Theaccommodation area accommodates seating means (not shown) of the kinddescribed above, and the seating means and half-height wall are arrangedsuch that when a passenger or passengers are seated on the seatingmeans, he or they may see easily over the top of the half-height wall66. The gap 72 formed between the two half-height wall portions 67 formsa doorway to allow access from outside into the interior of theaccommodation unit 60.

As best seen in FIG. 5A, in which the ceiling 69, one of the short sidewalls 63 and one of the half-height longitudinal wall portions 67 havebeen removed for clarity, the accommodation unit 60 comprises agenerally rectangular false floor panel 80 having two opposing longsides 82 and two opposing short sides 83, 84. One of said short sides 84is mounted pivotably and slidingly to the plinth 62 between the twohalf-height wall portions 67 at 85. Said one short edged 84 is orientedsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mattress 70, andthe joint between the panel 80 and the plinth 62 allows the panel 80 tobe pivoted as shown in FIG. 5A between a deployed position of FIG. 5Aand an intermediate stowed position in which the panel is orientedsubstantially orthogonally to its deployed position and occupies the gap72 between the two half-height wall portions 67; FIG. 5B shows the panel80 almost in the intermediate deployed position. As can be seen, thelength of the panel 80 between the two short edges 82, 84 is slightlyless than the height of the half-height wall 66 between the plinth 62and its upper extremity, and the width of the panel 80 between the twolong edges 82 is about the same as the width of the gap 72 between thetwo wall portions 67 in the longitudinal direction of the bed.

As best seen in FIGS. 5B–5E, at least one of said half-height wallportions 67 defines a longitudinally extending recess 90 which isdimensioned to accommodate fully the false floor panel 80. The slidingjoint 85 between the panel 80 and the plinth 62 extends into the recess90 such that when the panel is in the intermediate stowed position, itmay be then slid as shown in FIGS. SC and 5D longitudinally relative tothe mattress 70 into recess 90 to a fully stowed position as shown inFIG. 5E in which the panel 80 is completely concealed within the wallportion 67.

In the deployed position as shown in FIG. 5A, the false floor panel 80extends fully across the mattress 70 and is supported at its short edge83 by the plinth 62. The panel 80 is made from a suitable aircraftstandard light-weight structure material which is sufficiently strong toenable one or more passengers to stand and walk on the panel 80. Thepanel 80 thus partially covers and protects the mattress 70 when not inuse and allows a passenger to stand within the accommodation unit 60 togain access to the seating means. When the passenger desires to go tobed, the panel 80 is pivoted as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and then slidas shown in FIGS. 5C–E to the fully stowed position to allow full accessto the mattress 70. The seating means may be stowed as described above,so that the passenger may use the bed 70.

FIG. 6 shows another passenger accommodation unit 90 in accordance withthe present invention comprising a generally rectangular plinth 91 thatsupports a mattress (not shown) within an accommodation area 92. Saidaccommodation area is formed by two opposing short side walls of whichonly one 93 is shown and an interconnecting long side wall 94. A secondlong side wall opposing said interconnecting wall 94 may be provided ifdesired. Said side walls 93, 94 also carry an optional ceiling (notshown). The accommodation area 92 accommodates seating means (not shown)of the kind described above.

The accommodation unit 90 of FIG. 6 further comprises a flexible tambour95 that is moveable between a deployed position as shown in FIG. 6 inwhich the tambour 95 extends across substantially the whole of themattress means and a stowed position (not shown) in which the tambour isremoved from the mattress means to allow substantially full access tothe mattress means so that a passenger using the accommodation unit 90may go bed.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, said tambour 95 comprises a plurality ofcontiguous, longitudinally extending, thin slats 96, each of which isconnected to its neighbouring slats by a longitudinal joint that extendssubstantially parallely to the longitudinal axis of the mattress means.Said tambour 95 thus forms a semi-rigid panel, and the joints betweenadjacent slats 96 allow the tambour 95 to be rolled-up. Accordingly,said plinth 91 accommodates, towards one lateral side, a longitudinallyextending, elongate roller 97 for storing the tambour in its stowedposition. Said roller 97 is accommodated within a cavity formed in theplinth 91 that is sufficiently large to accommodate the roller andtambour 95 when rolled-up upon the roller 97. Said plinth 91 furtheraccommodates suitable automatic drive means for driving the roller 97for rolling and un-rolling the tambour 95 therefrom. A control panel maybe provided within the accommodation area to allow a passenger or cabincrew to operate the roller 97 for moving the tambour between itsdeployed and stowed positions.

As can be seen from FIG. 6 in the deployed position, the tambour 95extends substantially across the whole of the plinth 91 within thecombination area 92 and substantially covers the mattress means. In thedeployed position, the tambour 95 is substantially completely unrolledfrom the roller 97. When a passenger using the accommodation unit 90wishes to go to sleep he/she operates the roller 97 to roll the tambour95 thereonto such that the tambour is moved progressively transverselyacross the plinth 91 to reveal the mattress means that is rolled up onthe roller 97. In the stowed position, the tambour 95 is substantiallyall accommodated upon the roller 97 such that the mattress means withinthe plinth 91 is substantially completely revealed. Suitable securingmeans may be provided for the securing the tambour 95 in its deployedposition. For example, the tambour 95 and plinth 91 may be equipped withsuitable interengaging fastening means.

Where necessary, the plinth 91 may be equipped with suitable reinforcingmeans for strengthening the tambour 95 in the deployed position tosupport the weight of a passenger standing thereon.

FIGS. 7A–7C show respectively three different cabin layoutsincorporating passenger accommodation units as hereinbefore described.Thus FIG. 7A shows a passenger cabin in the nose of an aircraft whichcomprises four accommodation units 100 as hereinbefore describedpositioned juxtaposed the two side walls 98 of the aircraft cabin andeight accommodation units 102 arranged in four pairs along the centralaxis of the cabin, optionally to provide zero to four double cabinsseparated by one or more screens 104. The long side walls of the units100 juxtaposed the aircraft walls may be omitted such that the long wallis formed by the aircraft wall itself.

FIG. 7B shows an aircraft cabin incorporating ten accommodation units ashereinbefore described which are arranged along the side walls 98 of theaircraft cabin.

FIG. 7C shows an aircraft cabin comprising five pairs of twoaccommodation units 102 as hereinbefore described in which, within eachpair, the units 102 are arranged contiguously side by side, extendinggenerally orthogonally to the aircraft cabin wall 98 to provideoptionally zero to five double units, wherein one or more screens 104are disposed between two of said mattresses to afford privacy to therespective passengers using them.

The present invention thus provides a passenger accommodation unitsuitable for use in a first-class accommodation area of an aircraftwhich can be configured to provide a seating mode in which theaccommodation area comprises one or two seats for passengers and a “bedmode” in which the accommodation area comprises at least one flat bed ofnormal dimensions which approximates as far as possible a conventionalbed. When the unit is configured in the seating mode, the bed is atleast partially concealed and protected by means of a removable falsefloor on which a passenger may stand. The accommodation unit of thepresent invention can be interconverted quickly and easily between theseating mode and bed mode and vice versa. Optionally, two accommodationunits according to the present invention may be placed side by sidewithout an interconnecting wall to provide a double unit for passengerswishing to travel together. A removable privacy screen may be providedbetween the units to afford privacy to their respective occupants ifrequired.

1. A passenger accommodation cabin for a vehicle, which cabin comprises:one or more walls defining a passenger accommodation area; a plinthdisposed substantially at floor level and adapted to support a mattresswithin said accommodation area to provide at least one substantiallyflat bed; a false floor that is selectively movable between a deployedposition in which said false floor at least partially covers themattress and is directly supported by the plinth, and a retractedposition for allowing use of said at least one bed; and at least oneseat supported within the accommodation area generally above themattress, said at least one seat being selectively movable between adeployed position for use as a seat when said false floor is in saiddeployed position and a retracted position for allowing use of said atleast one bed when said false floor is in said retracted position.
 2. Acabin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more walls serve as aprivacy screen around the accommodation area.
 3. A cabin as claimed inclaim 1, wherein four upstanding walls are provided, which wallscompletely surround the accommodation area, and wherein the cabinfurther comprises an access for gaining entry to the accommodation areafrom outside.
 4. A cabin as claimed in claim 3, wherein one or more ofsaid walls are full-height walls.
 5. A cabin as claimed in claim 3,wherein at least three walls are full-height walls.
 6. A cabin asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said cabin includes a fourth wall which isadapted to be disposed adjacent an aisle in a passenger cabin of avehicle and is a “half” or “three-quarter”-height wall.
 7. A cabin asclaimed in claim 6, wherein said fourth wall is dimensioned to provide aprivacy screen when a passenger lies on the bed within the cabin, butcan be seen over when the passenger is seated upon the seat or when thepassenger is standing within the cabin.
 8. A cabin as claimed in claim6, wherein said access comprises a closure or a gap between two walls orparts of the same wall.
 9. A cabin as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidgap is formed in said fourth wall to provide convenient access to andfrom the cabin from the aisle.
 10. A cabin as claimed in claim 1,wherein the dimensions of said plinth correspond substantially to thedimensions of the cabin.
 11. A cabin as claimed in claim 10, whereinsaid plinth has substantially the same dimensions as said mattress. 12.A cabin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plinth defines a recess foraccommodating said mattress, such that said plinth forms an elongatetray for supporting said mattress.
 13. A cabin as claimed in claim 12,wherein said tray is configured to provide a close fit around themattress, and the walls of the cabin substantially follow the edges ofthe tray.
 14. A cabin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cabin has asubstantially rectangular footprint having substantially the samedimensions as said bed.
 15. A cabin as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidseat comprises at least one seat that is positioned at one end of thecabin in juxtaposition with one short side wall thereof.
 16. A cabin asclaimed in claim 15, comprising two seats, the seats being positioned atopposing ends of the passenger accommodation cabin in juxtaposition withrespective, opposing short side walls of the cabin.
 17. A cabin asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the or each seat comprises a back-rest thatis fixed to a wall of the accommodation cabin and a seat-pan that ispivoted to the back-rest or the cabin wall juxtaposed the back-rest formovement between a deployed position and a stowed position.
 18. A cabinas claimed in claim 1, wherein said false floor comprises one or morerigid or semi-rigid, substantially flat panels adapted to overlay atleast part of said mattress in a deployed position and removable toallow use of said at least one bed.
 19. A cabin as claimed in claim 18,wherein said one or more panels are connected by one or more hinges tosaid plinth, one or more of the walls, or said plinth and one or more ofsaid walls to allow the or each panel to be hinged between a deployedposition and a stowed position in which the or each panel is removedfrom the mattress and disposed substantially flush with one of the wallsor accommodated within a recess adapted for that purpose.
 20. A cabin asclaimed in claim 18, wherein said false floor comprises one or moretransverse panels which are adapted to extend transversely across the atleast one bed from one longitudinal side to another.
 21. A cabin asclaimed in claim 20, wherein said cabin comprises a longitudinal half orthree-quarter height wall having a gap formed therein to allow access tothe interior of the cabin, and the or each transverse panel is connectedto said tray within said gap.
 22. A cabin as claimed in claim 21,wherein said one or more transverse panels are pivotable between adeployed position in which the or each panel extends transversely acrossthe bed and an intermediate stowed position in which the or each panelis oriented substantially vertically and is received within the gapbetween two opposing portions of the longitudinal wall.
 23. A cabin asclaimed in claim 22, wherein said one or more hinges are mounted to thetray on a slide which extends longitudinally relative to the bed, saidone or more hinges being adapted to travel along said slide between anextended position, in which the or each panel is disposed in saidintermediate stowed position in the gap, and a retracted position inwhich the or each panel, in the substantially vertical orientation, isreceived juxtaposed, or within a respective cavity formed, in arespective one of the longitudinal wall portions in a fully stowedposition.
 24. A cabin as claimed in claim 18, wherein said one or morepanels overlay the mattress at least in a zone forwardly of a seatwithin the cabin.
 25. A cabin as claimed in claim 18, wherein said oneor more panels cover substantially the entire, internal floor area ofthe cabin.
 26. A cabin as claimed in claim 18, wherein said cabinaccommodates two opposing seats, and the one or more panels cover themattress between said two seats.
 27. A cabin as claimed in claim 18,wherein said false floor is reinforced to strengthen the or each floorpanel, to enable said false floor to support the weight of at least onepassenger.
 28. A cabin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said false floorcomprises a flexible tambour selectively moveable between a deployedposition and a stowed position.
 29. A cabin as claimed in claim 28,wherein said tambour comprise at least one articulated panel comprisinga plurality of elongate segments that are pivotally joined to oneanother along a plurality of respective parallel axes.
 30. A cabin asclaimed in claim 29, wherein a housing for said tambour is providedjuxtaposed, within and beneath said plinth for receiving andaccommodating said tambour when stowed.
 31. A cabin as claimed in claim1, comprising plural mattresses.
 32. A cabin as claimed in claim 31,wherein one or more screens are disposed between two of said mattressesto afford privacy to the respective passengers using them.
 33. A cabininstallation comprising two cabins as claimed in claim 1, wherein twosaid cabins are arranged contiguously side-by-side and a removableinterconnecting side wall that is common to both cabins is provided suchthat the interconnecting side wall can be removed to create adouble-spaced cabin.
 34. A passenger accommodation cabin for a vehicle,which cabin comprises: one or more walls defining a passengeraccommodation area; a plinth disposed substantially at floor level anddefining a recess for accommodating a mattress within said accommodationarea to provide at least one substantially flat bed; a false floor thatis selectively movable between a deployed position in which said falsefloor at least partially covers the mattress and is directly supportedby the plinth, and a retracted position for allowing use of said atleast one bed; and at least one seat mounted to said one or more walls.35. A passenger accommodation cabin for a vehicle, which cabincomprises: opposed walls at least partially defining a passengeraccommodation area; a plinth disposed substantially at floor level andadapted to support a mattress within said accommodation area to provideat least one substantially flat bed; a false floor comprising at leastone panel that is selectively movable between a deployed position inwhich said false floor at least partially covers the mattress and isdirectly supported by the plinth, and a retracted position for allowinguse of said at least one bed; and two opposing seats mounted to saidwalls wherein the at least one flat panel covers the mattress betweensaid seats.